Last week we announced that we're giving away a BRAND NEW FORD FIESTA in NYC through a special QR code hunt a week from today. But what on earth is a QR code? Well, if you've ever been to Japan, you probably already know, because they're very popular over there already in billboard ads and magazines. This should come as no surprise seeing as QR codes are used in conjunction with mobile phones and the Japanese have had cameras on their cell phones since like 1928 (!)

Also, QR codes were invented by the Japanese to track car vehicle parts way back in 1994, so it's no wonder they're ubiquitous there already. Here in the States, however, they're just beginning to catch on a little bit. QR stands for quick response—as in, you scan the code with your phone's camera and you're immediately taken to whatever the code has be programmed to do. The code might send you an SMS, it might take you to a Web page, it might trigger a video or even have your phone call a phone number.

Recently, we got a Target catalog in the mail with a bunch of QR codes next to some of the toys. When you scan one, you get a video commercial showing you what the toy could do. Likewise, New York Times tech writer Nick Bilton's new book, I Live in the Future & Here's How It Works. uses QR codes in conjunction with video. Each chapter has a QR code at the top of it and when you scan them, some take you to YouTube videos of Nick talking about the chapter. You get to meet the author through the video and even interact with him through the YouTube vid comments.

Many Nokia phones are now coming with scanners and code readers built into them. Then there are all the wonderful free apps available for download to iPhones and Androids and the like. My favorites include ScanLife, RedLaser and Mobiletag. If you get a little high off of scanning groceries at those automated check-out lanes, you'll really love using QR codes. For more, check out the Rocketboom video below.

It's time for another puzzle from our pals at Conceptis Puzzles! Yes, every week, we'll be offering a different logic puzzle, today featuring a 9x9 Pic-A-Pix puzzle. Each puzzle consists of a blank grid with clues on the left of every row and on the top of every column. The object is to reveal a hidden picture by painting blocks in each row and column so their length and sequence corresponds to the clues, and there is at least one empty square between adjacent blocks. Click here to play!

Mmmm. Who else loves the original i?

Books, free book - books everywhere
Just two blocks away, you say?
Find the right lion and the 40th President
Scan the code and you'll be on your way

Grand!
Now make your way to Central Station
Go down, down to the food.
Find the 40 oz. bottle
Near the register, it doth protrude

Save-The-Date! Win a New Car!

That’s right, you read the headline correctly! We’re teaming up with mentalfloss.com and resila.com and giving you a chance to win a brand new Ford Fiesta on December 21st in NYC.

We can’t give away the details just yet, but if you live in the New York area, you’re going to want to make yourself available between 11am and 1pm for the coolest interactive event of the year. For more details as we make them available, follow @resila on Twitter or just keep checking back here as the date nears.

Sorry rest of the country, this is a NYC-based event only. However, if you live in San Francisco, Atlanta, Austin, Seattle, Miami, Chicago, or Los Angeles, you could win a Ford Fiesta, as well. Check out their Facebook page for details. (n.b. we are not associated with these other contests)

It's time for another puzzle from our pals at Conceptis Puzzles! Yes, every week, we'll be offering a different logic puzzle, today featuring a 9x9 Pic-A-Pix puzzle. Each puzzle consists of a blank grid with clues on the left of every row and on the top of every column. The object is to reveal a hidden picture by painting blocks in each row and column so their length and sequence corresponds to the clues, and there is at least one empty square between adjacent blocks. Click here to play!

Please allow me to introduce you to team PROBLEM SOLVERZ, created by artist Ben Jones and Eric Kaplan, one of The Big Bang Theory writers. If this doesn't blow your mind, nothing will. (Hat tip to Dave Goetsch!)

It's time for another puzzle from our pals at Conceptis Puzzles! Yes, every week, we'll be offering a different logic puzzle, today featuring a 9x9 Pic-A-Pix puzzle. Each puzzle consists of a blank grid with clues on the left of every row and on the top of every column. The object is to reveal a hidden picture by painting blocks in each row and column so their length and sequence corresponds to the clues, and there is at least one empty square between adjacent blocks. Click here to play!

Congrats on making it to the last page of today's challenge. Don't forget to leave in the comments below, both the correct answer to the following question, AND the item from the neatoshop that you want if you're selected at random. If you don't leave the item you want, you will be disqualified.

Question: What were the names of the two turkeys that President Barack Obama pardoned on Thanksgiving 2010?

REMEMBER, BECAUSE OF THE HOLIDAYS, THERE WILL BE NO DAY 4 THIS MONTH. BE SURE TO TUNE IN ON MONDAY FOR THE FINAL PUZZLE, DAY 5

Congrats on making it to the last page of today's challenge. Don't forget to leave in the comments below, both the correct answer to the following question, AND the item from the neatoshop that you want if you're selected at random. If you don't leave the item you want, you will be disqualified.

Question: The first book in what series written by Walter Farley was published in 1941?

Congrats on making it to the last page of today's challenge. Don't forget to leave in the comments below, both the correct answer to the following question, AND the item from the neatoshop that you want if you're selected at random. If you don't leave the item you want, you will be disqualified.

Question: What's the order of this magic square?

It's Tuesday and you know what that means! Another puzzle from our pals at Conceptis Puzzles! Yes, every Tuesday, we'll be offering a different logic puzzle, today featuring a 9x9 Pic-A-Pix puzzle. Each puzzle consists of a blank grid with clues on the left of every row and on the top of every column. The object is to reveal a hidden picture by painting blocks in each row and column so their length and sequence corresponds to the clues, and there is at least one empty square between adjacent blocks.Click here to play!

Congrats on making it to the last page of today's challenge. Don't forget to leave in the comments below, both the correct answer to the following question, AND the item from the neatoshop that you want if you're selected at random. If you don't leave the item you want, you will be disqualified.

Question: What's the name of the song the Propellerheads contributed to The Matrix soundtrack in the famous lobby scene?

It's Tuesday and you know what that means! Another puzzle from our pals at Conceptis Puzzles! Yes, every Tuesday, we'll be offering a different logic puzzle, today featuring a 9x9 sudoku puzzle. Please give us some feedback on the new feature—we'd love to hear if you found it too easy, too hard, or what you think about Neato-Puzzles. Ready? Click here to play!